Quick Takes: Aerosmith, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Paul Simon, Elvis Costello, Jackson Browne, & Bonnie Raitt

Aerosmith returned to the stage on Sunday night (September 4th) at Bangor, Maine's Maine Savings Amphitheater. The show, which marked the band's first post-pandemic gig, was also the first with a newly clean-and-sober Steven Tyler fresh out of a recent bout in rehab. As expected, missing from action was co-founding drummer Joey Kramer, who is taking 2022 off from the band to deal with personal matters following the death of his wife Linda last June. Filling for him was his drum tech John Douglas. (Rolling Stone)
Lynyrd Skynyrd frontman Johnny Van Zant revealed that the band will be winding down its live career in the near future. Currently, solo-surviving co-founding member Gary Rossington is off the road while dealing with on-going heart issues. During Van Zant's chat with The Florida Times-Union, he revealed, “We’re still looking at hanging it up in the next year or so. We're going to retire from touring.” He went on to add, “Musicians never retire, you just do less shows. You really miss it. You miss your fans. I’ll probably always do something. . . . I’ve worked my whole life. It’s just in my nature to get out and do something. I love music and I’ve been blessed, but I can’t think of me turning my back. As long as I can write a song, I’m definitely doing that.” (Ultimate Classic Rock)
Paul Simon is set to play a private fundraiser on September 23rd for Ohio Senate candidate Tim Ryan. The 90-minute event, which will take place at the Canfield, Ohio home of BJ Alan/Phantom Fireworks CEO Bruce Zoldan, will also include Simon participating in a meet and greet with guests. The suggested contribution levels to attend the event are $2,500; $5,000 or $10,000. (NBC – WFMJ)
Some of music's most respected players will be heading Down Under in 2023 to perform in Byron Bay, New South Wales at Bluesfest. The Australian music festival is set to run from April 6th to the 10th 2023 at Byron Events Farm. Among the heavyweights already on board to play are Elvis Costello & The Imposters, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Mavis Staples, Buddy Guy, Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit, Joe Bonamassa, Larkin Poe, Keb' Mo', Lucinda Williams, and Steve Earle & The Dukes. (Noise11)